Tobacco-stemming machine



F. C. SCHOFIELD TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 1 ,ATTORNEYS.

May 19, 1925. 1,538,662

F. c. SCHOFIELD TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1922 4- Sheets-Shet 2 11% l lll|IIIHHHIIIIlllillllllllm "1mm zwmmmww A. w W 2%\ I LLZWIWM 4 A TTORNEYS May 19, 1925. 1,538,662 F. c. SCHOFIELD TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1m mummm g mll lplum ATTORNEY3 May 19, 1925. 1,538,662

F. C. SCHQFIELD.

flTOBAQCO STEMMING MACHINE ile a 27, 1922 '4 Sheets-Shet 4 w I /g Emma 2322214 A TTORNEKS te ted May 19, 1925. I H I v UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

FREDERICK C. SCHOFIELD, OF LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNO-R TO UNITED CIGARETTE MACHINE 00., INC., LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION 0F VIRGINIA.

TOBACCO-STEMMING MACHINE.

Application filed January 27, 1922. Serial No. 532,182.

To all wh-om'z't may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK C. SoHo- FIELD,' a citizenof the United States, and

resident of Lynchburg, 1n the county of .rotat-able stemming devices; and has special reference to the provision of a stemming machine of this kind in which the stemming devices are operative and efiective for efliciently removing the web or laminae of the leaves from the stem bya draw-cutting or draw-cleaving action. In prior forms of machines of the type referred to, the tobacco leaves are gripped either at their butt or tip ends and are drawn through rotatable stemming devices which operate to remove the laminae or web of the leaves by a scraping, sluffing or cutting action. In the form of machine where stemming is obtained by cutting the web of the leaves from the stems, a number of dis-v advantages are inherently present which it is the object of this invention to overcome. One of the disadvantages or defects, for e ample, in this form of machine resldes in that the cutting mechanism has a tendency to cut into the ,stems themselves, weakening the stems and causing them to tear, it being difl'icult particularly to effect a cutting of the lamina close up to the stems without unduly cuttingthe stems. It" has been further found that in removing the lamina by drawing the leaves through the cutting stemming mechanism. considerable stram has to be exerted on thestem's, with the result that many of the stems, although in good condition, are broken during stemming activity. It is well'known, moreover, that the tobacco leaves when ready for stemming carry quantities of sand and other gritty earthy substances which,i,during stem- I ming activity, grind away the cutting mechanism, dulling or' distorting the same, this resulting in .a lessened efliciency of the ma-' chine and in the necessity of replacing or renewing the'cutting' mechanism after a short operating period. A prime deslderaerator. I

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter tum of my present invention comprehends the provision of a tobacco leaf stemming machine in which these disadvantages inherent in prior machines will be largely' overcome and in which the cutting of the leaf web may be effected cleanly close up to the stem and without subjecting the stem of the leaf. to too large or great a strain, stem:

ming being effected without cutting or of a stemming machine having the characteristics and. effecting the results above referred to, the further provision of a stemmingmachine in w ich the stemming mechanismincludesthin flexible blades radially stiff and laterally flexible, the blades having preferably a uniform thinness so,

that the grinding action does not dull the same, the flexibility of the blades accomm0- dating the stems and, varying thicknesses of the-same; the further provision of a machine of this kind in which the leaves are drawn through rotatable stemming devices each provided with thin flexible blades of the nature referred to, the blades of the devices intermeshing and being contoured to permit the leaves to be fed and threaded through succeeding blades of the said stemming devices; the further provision of a machine of thisQkind in which the stem may be cut or severed intermediate its ends and close to its tip; thestill further provision of a stemming machine in which the leaves are advanced and drawn through the blades in a direction such that the stem is caused to thread and be fed through the successive invision of a stemming machine in which a novelgrippin meansis provided for securely taking old of the butt ends of the stems and drawing the same through the stemming mechanism and the provision of a machine ofthe nature referred to in which the parts are correlated for eflicient cooperation and for easy control by an opappear, my invention consists in the elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter particularly described and sought to be defined in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of my invention and in which:

Figure '1 is a plan view of my stemming machine,

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion thereof,

Figure 3 is an elevational view with parts broken away and parts shown in section,

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the stemming elements or devices,

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the stemming devices and showing the relation between the stemming mechanism and the gripper mechanism,

Figure 6 is a view showing the cutting means associated with the gripper mechanlsm, I

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a butting device,

Figure 8 is a view of a moistening means associated with the gripper mechanism, and

Figure 9 is a view showing the manner of operation of the stemming blades.

' Referring to the drawings, the stemming or'stripping machine comprises essentially the feeding means F for advancing the tobacco leaves fed thereto by an operator, the but ting mechanism B or B 'for removing the lamina of the leaves from the butt ends thereof, the gripper mechanism G which functions to receive the leaves from the feeding mechanism and for drawing the same in gripped condition to and through the stemming means S.

Thefeeding mechanism F comprises preferably a lower conveyer belt lOtrained over the opposed drums 11 and 12 journalled in upstanding brackets 13 and 14 respectively, the bracket 14 being fixedly attached to the supporting framework 15 and the bracket 13 being slidably mounted thereon and adapted to be adjusted and locked in position by the adjusting means 13. The e01 veyer or carrier belt 10 is adapted for vreceiving the tobacco leaves spaced thereon by an operator at the left of the machine, as viewed in Figure 1, the said conveyer belt being positivelv driven to advance the leaves to the right (as viewed ,in Figural) for stemming activity, the operator placing the tobacco leaves upon the carrier belt with the butt ends-of the stems against the gauge board 7 to line the stems asmuch as possible. Cooperating with the conveyer belt 10 I provide the overlyingbeltor chain 16 trained and movable'over, oppositely .posi

' tioned pulleys 17 'Iand- 18, the latter being fixed to the shafts '19 and 20 respectively, journalled in sockets 2 1 and 22 of atrans Verse bar 24, the shaft 19 belng supportingly journalled in a boss 10 fixedly attached tc the framework of themachine. The overlying belt or chain 16 is adapted to ride over the conveyer belt 10 and receive motion therefrom, the chain 16 comprising a hinder or clampingbelt and cooperating with the conveyer belt 10 for advancing the tobacco leaves therebetween. The bar 24 and the chain and sprockets carried thereby .is, by this construction, adapted to swing about the boss 19', the other end of the bar being therefore free to rise, the gravity of the parts being depended upon to give sufficient pressure to carr the leaves forward.

During t e feeding of the leaves by the conveyer and clamping belts the butt ends of the leaves may be subjected toa butter for effecting the removal of the web or lamina from the'butt ends of theleaves. To this end I may provide the butter 13 located as shown in the drawings, the said butter comprising a plurality of butting elements or devices having a construction similar to the main stemming mechanism hereinafter to be described in detail, it being here premised that the butting mechanism consists generally in a pair of superposed stemming elements each provided with a plurality of thin flexible blades, the blades of one stemming device intermeshing with the blades of the other stemming device, as generally indi cated in Figure 1 of the drawings. In lieu of providing the butting mechanism in the position adjacent the conveyer belt 10, I may provide the butting mechanism such as B in a position to effect the butting operation after the leaves have been subjected to themain stemming activity. For the purpose of providing a resisting pressure opposed to the pull of the butting mechanism during butting action, I may provide the plurality of rollers 23 (see Figures 1 and 3) journalled in the longitudinally arranged bar 24, the said rollers contacting the lower bight of the chain 16 and effecting a secure clamping of the leaves between the said chain and the conveyer belt 10 during butting activity. After passing through the butter B the butt ends of' tobacco leaves are carried over a plate 25, the said plate being provided at its advance end with an upturned portion 26,-

terminating in a tongue 26 this functioning to flex the butt ends of the leaves and to turn. them up to condition the same to be effectively gripped in the further operation of the machine, as will become clearer presentlyo For gripping the leaves and feeding the same in the further operation of the machine I providethe gripping mechanism G hereinbeforereferred to, the said gripping mechanism comprising preferably the sheave 27 fixed to. a sleeve 28 rotatable in the up standing post 29, the peripheral groove 30 of the said sheave receiving the strap or cable 31, the said cable31 being driven by rotation of the sheave 27. The sheave is provided. with a plurality of peripheral pockets 32 arranged about the complete circumference of the sheave, the said pockets. being intended for receiving the butt ends of the leaf stems. The sheave 27 is constructed to provide a circumferential upstanding flange 33 and in the circumferential recess-34 between the flan'ge 33 and the body of the sheave 27 Iprovide the annular member 35 preferably made of rubher. As the tobacco leaves are further advanced by the feeding means the butt ends of the leaves are turned up-by the plate portion 26 as hereinbefore recited and are frictionally fed by contacting the cable 31, as clearly appear from Figure 1 of the draw-v ings, the said butt ends of the leaves being caught by the walls between the pockets 32,

the said walls such as 36 acting in effect as directing fingers to direct the butting of the stems into the pockets 32 and cause the same to lodge therein and be firmly gripped between the cable 31 and the resilient annular member. 35, the pressure between these parts and the upturning of the butts resulting in the obtaining of a positive and secure hold for each stem. v

Cooperating with the gripper sheave 27 I provide the opposed pulley or wheel 37,

rotatably mounted in a swinging bracket 38, the latter rotatable'in a stud 39. The pulley or wheel 37 is preferably movably and resiliently mounted relatively to the sheave 27, this to the end oflending flexibility to the cable 31 and preventing undue strain when the-stems crowd under the cable 31 and move into the gripper sheave 27. For this purpose I provide the adjustable set screw'40, adjustablein bracket 41 forming part of the framework of the machine, and interposed between the shank of the set screw 40 and an arm 42 forming part of the bracket 38 I arran e the compression spring 43,- t-hese parts eing operative to swing the pulley 37 against the cable 31 to keep the latter in taut condition, as will be apparent.

After the stems are 'gripped by the cable and gripper sheave, the leaves emerge from under the binder chain or belt 16 and enter the stemming mechanism S. As hereinbefore referred to, one of the prime desiderata of my present invention comprehends a stemming mechanism in which the'web of the leaves maybe cleanly cut close u tothe stem without cutting the stenritsel or unduly tearing the web and in whichflthe removal of the web may be effected with a minimum of breaking strainexerted on the stem and in which the blades of the stemming mechanism may be kept constantly in good cutting condition irrespective of the grinding action of the sand on .the leaves.

particularly a vpair of rotatable stemming devices each carrying "a plurality of thin flexible blades, the blades of one device intermeshing with blades of the other device and adapted for receiving therebetween the stems of theleaves, with the latter fed to thread through the meshes of the blades, the blades laterally flexing to. accommodate varying thicknesses of the stems and acting on theweb close up to the stem for cutting the same with a draw-cleaving efi'ect. Referring now to the drawings, the stemming devices comprise the vertically alined rotatable shafts 44 and 45 journalled in the .framework 46, the said framework being provided at one end with the direct' g noses 47 and'48, the said-shafts being e3? provided with a plurality of the spaced lades.

Splined to each shaft I preferably provide a tube such as 49 and on the tube are spline-d in spaced relation a plurality of blades 1), (see particularly Figure 4) spacing collars 50 being provided to properly space the blades along the axes of the said shafts 44 The blades b 'on one shaft are arranged in between the blades on the other shaft as is clear from the drawings, the blades being thus arranged in intermeshing relation. blades 5 are preferably made of thin flexible steel, these blades being uniformly thin. As an example of the thicknessesof the blades it may be stated that these w1ll vary for different kinds of tobacco and may be from .010 to .020 inch thick for the blades at the entrant end of the stemming devices where the more tenaciously adhering parts of the web are treated; and from .005 to .010 inch for the blades at the exit end of ,the stemming devices where the weaker The the stemming devices, the blades are spaced with progressively diminishing distances between the blades from entrant to exlt end, as will be clear for example from a conslder- 'ation of Figure 4 of the drawings.

For stemming purposes the leaves are fed between the intermeshing blades, the leaves being fed as by drawing the stem in a diree- I tion oblique to the axes of the stemming devices and in a resultant direction having components in the direction of the said axes and in a direction normal thereto. \Vhen so fed the stems are caught by the lobes of the blades and directed between the meshes of the successive blades, the stem of the leaves threading through successive blades, lapping first over one lobe of one blade and then over alobe of a succeeding blade, as is shown clearly-in Figures 2 and 5 to 7 and especially Figure 9 of, the drawings, the blades acting during. this stem feeding to progressively strip the leaf web from the leaf stem by cutting thesame. This cutting may be described as a draw-cleaving, the drawcleaving being obtained by rotating the blades, as shown by the arrows in Figure 5 of the drawings, this to effect a cutting in opposition to the draw or pull exerted on -the leaves as they are fed and threaded through the blademeshes by the gripping means G. With the provision of this construction a clean out in the web is effected closeup to the stem with little strain on the stem, the blades flexing to accommodate the varying thicknesses of the stems, the edges of the blades, even though gradually ground away by the gritty material carried by the leaves, never dulling the draw-cleaving edges beyond the thickness of the metal, the edges resulting from the grinding being the ideal draw-cleaving edge capableof separating the veins and web from the leaf but incapable of actually severing the stems.

In Figure 5 of the drawings I .have shown the blades 1) each provided with four lobes but it will be apparent that any number of lobes maybe provided, "Figure 7, for example, showing the blades used'in the but ting devices provided with six lobes. This latter construction may be preferred because when the leaves are engaged in the troughs t with this construction each trough embraces fully one-half of the stem circumferentially, the blades of each stemming device therefore treating one-half the stem circumferentially, the leaves being .treated by both stemming devices substantially the full circumference thereof, this assuring complete stemming of the leaves. The lobes Z of the blades may all be arranged in longitudinal alinement or maybe arranged in stepped relation as shown in'Figure5 so that the lobesmay be traced in a helical form about I through the blades in the manner referred to gripper sheave 27, asclearly shown in Figthe shafts 44 and 45.

For the purpose of feeding the leavesures 1 and 2 of the drawings. With the pro vision of this arrangement the stems attheentrant end of the stemming device remain longer in the meshes of the revolving stemming devices, the tougher and more tenaciously adhering parts of the web being here subjected to greater draw-cleaving action than the weaker portions treated at the exit end of the stemming devices; and with this mechanism the leaves are fed in the desired direction oblique to the axes of the stemming devices to effect the interweaving and threading of the stems through the meshes of the blades, as is apparent from a considerationfof, for example, Figure 2 of the drawings. In the operation of these parts any stems that have previously been broken orhave lost their tenacity through fermentation or rot or those imperfectly gripped will be thrown back by the stemming elements into the chute or bin 53 provided for this purpose and all the-stems which are secure enough tostand the continuous drawcleaving action are carried along and away from the stemming elements while the web portions remain behind and are finally detached from the stems completely and dropped into the adjacent chute 54.

For the purpose of cutting the stem intermediate its ends adjacent the tip during the stemming of the leaves when such is desired, I provide the cutting means comprising the circular cutter 55 fixed on the shaft 44 and the cutter 56 on the shaft 45, the latter being contoured as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings to provide a plurality of lobes Z. When the stems carrying the loose web arrive at the cutters the stems will lap over one of the lobes of the cutter 56 and be carried against thete-dge of the circular cutter 55 and be severed. For the purpose of cutting the stem off as close to the at tached web as possible I increasethe space between the stemming blades and cutters (see Figure 4 for example) so that the stem and attached web will be drawn into the cutting elements without any further stripping or stemming action.

For the purpose of combing the web or lamina off the revolving blades of the stemming devices during stemming activity 1 preferably provide the combs or shields 57 and 58 arranged for cooperation respectively with the upper and'lower .sets of blades. these combs being attached to the framework 46, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of thedrawings. -I may also provide vapor or air pipes 59 and 60 with a plurality of spaced nozzles n directed into the meshing blades of the stemming devices. The pressure of vapor within the pipes creates a last which is directed to meet inthe meshes of the stemming element and results in a blast along the tobacco stem toward the web portion. This -action assists the combs to keep. the web clear of the blades and the vapor also serves to prevent the web crumbling unduly. The vapor can be either low pressure saturated steam or water ladened air or dry air.

The stems after stripping the leaves, are carried around the gripper sheave 27 to where the cable 31 leaves the sheave and if butting of the leaves has not previously been effected, the stems are now subjected to butting action. The stems, as they are released from between the cable and sheave, are received by the traveling straps or cables 61 and 62, the said straps being trained over a plurality of sheaves such as 63 Suitably j ournalled 1n the framework of the machine. The stems arecarried along by the traveling straps with the adhering lamina on the butt ends thereof, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and are subjected to the stemming action of the blades of the butter B, the said butter having stemming blades similar to 'the main stemming devices as shown, for example, in Figure 7 of the drawings, the tobacco flakes obtained during this butting falling into a chute 64provided for this purpose. The stems, after thecutting operation, are dropped into the chute 65 (see Figure 1 of the drawings). Although I have shown two butting devices in Figure 1 of the drawings, in practice I prefer using a single butter arranged either before or after the main stemming devices. With some tobacco the after butting may be preferred and with other tobaccos the primary butting preferred, tobacco being stemmed either way with equal facility.

For the purpose of preventing the stems from sticking to the" groove of the gripper sheave 27 or to the cable 31, I provide a moistening device comprising a rotatable cup 66 rotatable on the post 67, the said cup being provided with a wick 68 folded from the inside of the water cup over the walls and down the outside thereof, the said wick feeding water contained in the cup to a rubber tire 69 encircling the grooved wheel 7O rotating with the cup 66, the said rubber tire rotating in the groove of the gripper sheave 27, keeping the latter moist to prevent the stems from sticking. -The' moistening device, as is apparent, will be rotated 'by contact with the gripper sheave. Should the stems cling to the gripper sheaye or the cable, they may be. 'effectivel removed by the scrapers s and s provide -forthis'purpose.

The irarious' parts of the apparatus may be driven from a main shaft '71, the latter adapted to receive motion-. from a prime mover (not shown); coimecte'd'to a fly wheel 72 through the belt; 17 3, a preferablyi hand operated clutch mechanism' 74, being; pro-' vided for connecting and disconnecting the main shaft 71 to and from the power. The

sheave 27 is positively driven from the main shaft 71 and 'to this end the shaft is protively driven from the main shaft and to I this end I preferably provide a cross shaft 81 journalled in bearings 82, the said cross shaft being provided with the worm wheel 83 meshing with theworm 84, the latter being attached to the main shaft 71, the said shaft-81 being in turn connected for driving the drum 12 of the feeding mechanism y means of the sprocket wheels 85 and 86 and the interposed sprocket chain 87 For rotating the blades of the butter B I may provide the sprocket chain 88 trained over sprockets 89 and 90, the former being fixed to the main shaft 71 and the latter being fixed to a stub shaft 91, the gear wheel 92 on the said stub shafttmeshing with the gearing 93 of the butter B. For rotating the blades of the butter B in case the latter is used, I may provide the belt 94 traveling over the pulleys 95 and 96, the former being fixed to the main shaft 71 and the latter to one of the shafts of the butter B; the shafts of the butter being rotated in opposite directions by meansof the gearing 97. If this butter B is used the traveling straps or cables 61 and 62 may be operated by means through the primary butter B if prelimi nary butting is desired, the leaves being then advanced with the clearedbutt ends in between the gripper sheave 27 and the cable 31, the leaves being separated by the fingers of the gripper sheave ands securely clamped and gripped for the stemming operation. Theleaves are then'advanced and fed into the blades of the stemming mechanism S,

the gripper sheave drawing the leaves along and through the meshes of the blades of the stemming mechanism, theblades stripping the lamina from the stems with a drawcleaving effect. -The removed web or lamina carried by the butting operat on throughthe bu-tter I if drops into the chute 54 and the stems areipper sheave for subse uent no preliminary butting has been previously eflected, the stripped stems being then dropped into the chute 65.

While I have disclosed my stemming machine with great particularity, showing a specific embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that numerous changes may be made therein within wide variations without dearting from the'spirit of the invention, de-

ed in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism including flexible blades arranged for rotation and for stemming the tobacco by a cutting action and means for drawing thetobacco leaves thro gh the said blades in a direction opposing the cutting action thereof whereby the lamina of the leaves is stripped from the stem with a draw-cleaving effect.

2. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of cooperating stemming devices, each device provided with flexible cutting blades, the blades of one device being arranged to intermesh with the blades of the other device and means for feeding the tobacco leaves through the said intermeshing blades for stemming the same.

3. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of stemming devices, each device provided with a plurality of flexible blades arranged for stemming the tobacco by a cutting action,

the blades of one device being arranged to 1 intermesh with the blades of the other dering-blades for stemming the same.

tation and for stemming the tobacco by a cutting action and means for drawing the tobacco leaves through the said blades in a direction opposing the cutting action thereof whereby the lamina of the leaves is stripped from the stem with a draw-cleav-L ing effect.

5. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of stemming devices, each device including a plurality of uniformly thin flexible blades arranged for stemming the tobacco by a cutting action, the blades of onedevice' being arranged to intermesh with-the blades of the other device and means forifeeding the tobacco leaves through the said intermesh- 6. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a. plurality of flat flexible blades arranged in parallel planes for rotation about an axis and means for drawing tobacco leaves through said blades to be stemmed thereby, the construction being such that the direction of draw or pull of the said drawing means is at an angle to the planes'of the blades whereby the leaves are caused to travel through the meshes of the blades in the direction of said axis.

7. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of cooperating stemming devices, each device provided with flexible blades, each blade being contoured to provide a plurality of lobes and intermediate trough portions, the blades of one device being arranged to intermesh with; the blades of the other device and means for feeding the tobacco leaves through the said intermeshing blades for stemming the same.

8. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism including rotatable flexi ble blades arranged for rotation on an axis and operative for stemming the tobacco by a cutting action, means for advancing the tobacco leaves to the said blades in the direction'of said axis and means for drawing the leaves for stemming through the blades in a resultant direction having components in the direction'of the said axis and in a direction normal thereto.

9. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of cooperating stemming devices, each device provided with flexible blades, means for advancing the tobacco-leaves to the said blades in the direction of the axes of said devices and means for drawing the leaves for stemming through the blades in a resultant direction having components in the direction of the said axes and in a direction normal thereto.

10. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of cooperating stemming devices, each device provided with flexible blades, the blades \of the devices being arranged in intermeshing relation, means for advancing the tobacco leaves to the said blades, the said means comprising an endless belt having a flight lying in a plane between the axes of the said devices a-nd means for receiving the leaves from the said advancing means, the said last mentioned means being constructed for gripping the leaves and drawing them through i the intermeshing blades in a direction having components in a direction along the said axes and in a direction normal thereto.

11. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprisin a stemming device provided with a plurahty of thin laterlly flexible blades disposed along the axis of ming devices each flexible blades arranged along the axes of the devices and adapted for stemming tobacco-leaves by cutting action.

13. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a set of stemprovided with a plurality of thin flexible blades, the blades of one device intermeshing with the blades of the other device and adapted for receiving therebetween the stems of the leaves and for laterally flexing to accommodate the varying thicknessesof the stems.

14. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising devices eacn provided witha plurality of thin flexible blades, the blades of one device intermesh ing with the blades'of the other device, each of the said bladesbeing contoured to provide a plurality of lobes and trou hs intermediate the lobes.

15. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising a plurality of stemming devices each provided with a 'plurality of thin flat flexible blades arranged along the axis of the devices and cutting mechanism arranged on thedevices at the advance end thereof.

. 16. In a tobacco stemming machine, a rotatable gripping means and a rotatable stemming means having its axis of rotation substantially tangentially to the periphery of the gripping, means, the said stemming means comprising flexible blades adapted for stripping the leaves by a cleaving action.

:17. In a tobacco stemming machine; a rotatable gripping means and a rotatable stemming means having its axis of rotation substantially tangentially to the periphery of the gripping means, the said stemming means comprising a plurality of uniformly thin laterally flexible blades spacedly arranged in the direction of said axis of rotation.

18. In a tobacco stemming machine, a rotatable gripping means comprising a gripper sheave and rotatable stemming means comprising a plurality ofstemming devices each arranged substantially tangentially to the periphery of the gripper sheave, each device carrying a plurality of parallelly arranged flexible blades each of uniform thinness.

19. In a tobacco stemming machine, stemming mechanism comprising -a plurality of stemming devices provided with flexible blades, a gripper mechanism comprising a gripper sheave and a belt cooperating there with, means for advancing tobacco leaves in the direction of the said stemming devices,

the said advancing means being arranged to feed the leaves to the said gripper mech anism with the said leaves gripped between the sheave and the belt, said gripper mechanism being effective for feeding the leaves to and through the stemming blades.

20. In a tobacco stemming machine, a

gripper mechanism comprising a gripper sheave and a belt movable thereabout and driven thereby, the cooperating being such that the stems of the tobacco leaves are gripped between the belt and the sheave and so fed for stemming activity.

21. In a tobacco stemming machine, a gripper mechanism comprising a gripper sheave with a peripheral cry of the groove being contoured to provide a plurality of peripheral pockets, a belt movable about the sheave and frictionally driven thereby, the construction being such that the tobacco leaves are gripped between the belt and sheave with a leaf stem received and held ina peripheral pocket.

22. In a tobacco stemming machine, a gripper mechanism comprising 'a rotatable gripper sheave having a peripheral groove, an opposed wheel in the plane of said sheave, a belt trained over the wheel and sheave, the construction being such that the leaves fed to theshea-ve will be gripped in the groove therein between the sheave and the belt and so fed for stemming activity.

23. In a tobacco stemming machine, a. gripper mechanism comprising a rotatable gripper sheave having a peripheral groove, a wheel, a belt trained about the wheel and sheave, the construction being such that the leaves fed to the sheave will be gripped in the groove therein between the sheave and the belt and so fed for stemming activity; the said wheel being movably and resiliently mounted with respect to the said sheave.

24. In a tobacco stemming machine, a gripper mechanism comprising a gripper sheave and a belt movable thereabout and cooperating therewith and means for feeding leaves between the gripper sheave and belt, the said means including elements operative on the butt ends of the stems for turning. the same up and feeding the same between the sheave and the belt.

25. In a tobacco stemming machine, a gripper mechanism comprising a gripper sheave and a belt movable thereabou-t and "cooperating therewith and means for feed- 'means 'to move tobacco leaves laterally and,

so groove, the perlphlongitudinally in succession, and a succession of flexible cutting blades engaging the leaves at opposite sides of the stem and cutting in the opposite direction to their longitudinal movement. 27. In a device of the class described, a plurality of cooperating series of cutting blades moving in one direction, and means to draw tobacco leaves in the opposite direction and to move the leaves laterally thereby 10 I to be engaged by the blades in succession.-

Signed at Lynch'burg, in the county of Campbell and State of Virginia this 19 day of January, A. D. 1922.

FREDERICK C. SCHOFIELD. 

